Chapter 77 of Volume 1: Point Guard Palace Sand

  "Brother, you're really something. Since you already know, why bother checking again? Aren't you just looking for trouble with nothing better to do?" Xiao Yuanfeng casually sat down by the window, watching the people coming and going.

  This place is much more prosperous than the area around the Fragrant Wine House, you can tell from the clothes of the people walking on the street. Most of those who come and go in this area are wealthy people, Old Master really knows how to choose a location, his vision is not bad.

  "From another perspective, I just want to have a bottom line in my heart beforehand. If there is really something wrong with it, if someone else finds out about it later, we will be caught off guard." Xiao Yuanqiu spoke solemnly, and the elders in the valley were not very satisfied with Xiao Fan to begin with. If they were to find any more faults, it would be a real headache.

  "Hmm, that's also true." Xiao Yuanfeng nodded in approval, he always thought of everything more thoroughly than others.

  "Master, is there anything wrong?" Xiao Yimeng looked at Hua Feichen's slightly furrowed brow.

  Flower dust smiled slightly, almost imperceptibly: "No, I just imagined what kind of expression Xiao Fan would have on his wedding night if he saw your original face."

  Xiao Yimò furrowed his brow: "What kind of expression does Master think she will have?"

  Before Huaxiandeng could respond, Xiao Yuanfeng said: "I think that Xiaofan will definitely kick you off the bed with one foot."

  Xiao Yimeng said indifferently, "Last time she didn't kick me off the bed either."

  "Alright, let's not discuss this topic here." Xiao Yuanqiu cast a meaningful glance at the room next door.

  Xiao Yimo was silent, not understanding why both his father and master were so insistent on choosing the day of the grand wedding to restore himself. Looking at their unusual persistence in this matter, he didn't know why, but a premonition arose that something bad would happen on that day.

  "Brother Qiu, if there's nothing else, return to the valley and secretly investigate the recent movements within."

  Xiao Yuan's autumn lips curved into a warm smile, but it slightly stiffened: "Then I'll set off back to the valley tomorrow. With my younger brother and master here, there shouldn't be any problems."

  Huā fēi chén qīng qīng de fàng xià shǒu zhōng de chá bēi: " Qiū ér nǐ zhè shì zài huái yí wéi shī de néng lì ma?"

  Translation:

  Hua Feichen gently put down the teacup in his hand: "Autumn child, are you doubting Master's ability?"

  "The apprentice didn't dare." Xiao Yuanqiu smiled and looked over at him, getting up to refill his tea.

  "Then set off now, and take Master's horse back with you. After a long time, he will find all sorts of excuses to say that I have starved his horse again." Hua Fei's lips were lightly pursed, the warm smile in her eyes faded a bit, remembering the last time she borrowed Master's horse, she had returned it after a few days.

  "Alright." Xiao Yuanqiu suppressed the unwillingness in his heart and quickly opened the door and left.

  After lunch break, Su Xiaofan rubbed her sleepy eyes and walked out of the room. Sleeping on the table was really tiring, and all four limbs were numb.

  Almost at the same time, Xiao Yimiao also opened the door and walked out, frowning and staring at her for a moment, then walking past her with his head held high: "Isn't there a bed in the backyard? Why are you sleeping on the ground?"

  "Hmm, just in time to chat with my cousin. But little treasure, how did you know I was sleeping on my stomach?" Su Xiao Fan yawned, this autumn afternoon was always making her sleepier and sleepier, no matter what she did, she couldn't shake off the drowsiness.

  "Just look at the wrinkles on your elbow and you'll know."

  "Oh, indeed it is, little darling you're really awesome."

  Xiao Fu, who had been calculating accounts at the counter, saw the two coming down and stood up with a smile: "Young master, young madam, the account from the previous few days is ready, please take a look."

  Xiao Yimo walked over, climbed onto the special stool prepared for him, propped up his legs, and slowly looked around. After a moment, he said faintly: "It seems that the profit is not bad, but, woman, you mentioned that credit card membership system, it seems that no one has participated yet."

  "New things are always not accepted so quickly, tomorrow on the sign at the door add that members of this store can get free consumption on their birthday, when filling out member information, Uncle Fu you should pay attention. Su Xiaofan casually glanced at Xiao Yimo's account book, looking at the recent business, it would take several months to repay the village head's family, sigh..."

  "Uh-huh, I'll pay attention. And about that chef level that Old Lady mentioned earlier, I didn't quite understand..." Xiao Fu awkwardly smiled.

  "This is just my idea, I won't mention the guests on the first floor. This is suitable for the guests on the second and third floors. If some people want to specify a certain chef to make their dishes, they can show them the menu I listed yesterday, of course, the price will be relatively more expensive." Su Xiaofan rubbed her brow, thinking that she shouldn't take a nap tomorrow either. Every day after waking up from her nap, she wouldn't have any energy for a while. It's all because her cousin had the habit of taking a daily nap, and she also unknowingly developed the same desire to take a nap like her.

  "I'll go talk to Shui Mengshuang and the others for a bit. In my opinion, if there are regular customers who specify a chef in the future, they will definitely be asking for you, Madam. Are you available? Currently, the roasted chicken, roasted duck, and tonkatsu in the kitchen are all handled by you personally, right?" Xiao Fu understood and took out the menu to study it for a moment. As for the dishes made by the other chefs in the kitchen, they were all their signature dishes.

  The young lady herself listed a few dishes under her name, such as "Saliva Chicken", "Toothpick Meat" and so on. The names look very fresh, I don't know if any customers will order them.

  "Xiao Fan, I'm hungry..."

  "Xiao Xi?" Su Xiaofan, who was busy flipping through the account book, looked up to see Xiao Xi with red and puffy eyes. He was surprised and immediately came out from behind the counter, holding her hand as they went into the backyard together.

  Xiao Yi Mo gazed slantingly at the two people's gradually disappearing backs, her eyebrows deeply furrowed.

  "What's wrong?" Su Xiaofan reached out and touched her swollen eyes.

  "I'm hungry." Su Xiaofan said in a low and listless tone, hanging her head.

  Su Xiaofan stood up anxiously: "Then wait a moment, I'll go get you something to eat. You can tell me what happened later." Because she was eager to know what had happened to Xiao Xi, she took out some ready-made dishes.

  "Is this something Xiao Xi did herself?" After eating and drinking her fill, Yu Xiao Xi finally used a handkerchief to wipe her mouth.

  "Uh, the wine house has just opened after all, these things still need me to deal with them myself. Alright, tell me about it." Su Xiaofan put away the bowls and chopsticks in front of her to one side.

  "There's nothing much, just feeling down and came to you to clear my mind." Su Xiaofan hung her head low, not daring to meet his gaze, fearing that if she met his concerned eyes, she might not be able to hold back the bitter words in her heart.

  Su Xiaofan pretended to be angry and pouted: "Xiao Xi, isn't this not taking me as a good sister?"

  Yu Xiaoxi shook her head vigorously: "No way, how could that be? Apart from my sister, Xiao Fan is my only friend."

  "Then tell me about it, even if I can't help you, I can still be a faithful listener, right?" Su Xiao Fan reached out to brush away the hair in front of her face, and probably could have guessed that she must have had an argument with Su Bing's mother.

  "I told you, Xiao Fan, don't take it to heart." Yu Xiaoxi raised her head with a hint of puzzlement.

  Su Xiaofan smiled and nodded slightly, pouring a cup of tea and handing it over to her.

  "Suhandle's sister-in-law seems to be pregnant with her second child, Auntie asked me to go back and take care of her, I haven't even had a chance to get married yet, but she's already asking me to run errands for her. I endured it all, just went to take care of her for two days, but she's still in the third month of pregnancy, acting like a spoiled brat every day, and constantly speaking ill of you in front of me. I got angry and argued with her, then she suddenly clutched her belly and said it hurt, even told Auntie that I pushed her and hit her belly... Auntie didn't even ask for clarification before slapping me twice..." Yu Xiaoxi felt more and more wronged the more she thought about it, choking back tears as she couldn't continue speaking.

  Su Xiaofan furrowed her brow: "What did your father, Su Bing, say?"

  Yu Xiaoxi heard her question, and couldn't help but burst into tears: "He didn't even come to my sister's house after he got back home yesterday. I thought he would at least apologize for his mother's behavior or say something nice."

  "Didn't he come home yesterday? Or did his family not tell him." Su Xiaofan thought that based on her understanding of Su Bing, he wouldn't be the kind of man who disregards Xiao Xi's feelings.

  "He came back and visited my home in the morning, chatted with my sister for a bit about nothing important, then left. However, I hid and didn't go out to see him."

  Yu Xiaoxi cried uncontrollably, while Su Xiaofan kept helping her wipe away tears.

  Half awake, Su Xiaofan finally stood up and pointed to his room, saying: "You haven't slept all night, hurry in and rest for a while, I'll go see your father, Su Bing."

  "No need..." Yu Xiaoxi saw her stand up and also hastily stood up.

  "There's been a misunderstanding, it should be cleared up as soon as possible. If you don't ask him clearly about his thoughts, won't you just keep on having wild guesses?" Su Xiao Fan pushed her into his own room and then left.

  It wasn't until they were almost at the Fragrant Wine House that Su Xiaofan snapped out of her daze. Just now, it seemed like she hadn't asked Xiao Xi what bad things her sister-in-law had said about her again. It looked like when she got back later, she would have to ask thoroughly.

  "Xiao Fan, how come you're free today? Come on in quickly." Meng Ping smiled and walked up to welcome Su Xiao Fan as he saw him approaching.

  Su Xiaofan took a glance at the suspicious red flush on his face and smiled: "It's been so long since we last met, how come you still blush like this? Be careful or your wife will bully you in the future."

  Meng Ping's face turned even redder as he stuttered: "Xiao Fan is joking, I'm still too young to get married."

  "I'm looking for Su Bing, can you help me call him out?" Su Xiaofan scanned the situation inside the wine shop, then found a corner seat and sat down, seemingly not noticing himself, the business here was also quite good, after all, the recipes he taught them before were indeed very delicious.

  Su Bing wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and quickly walked out of the kitchen: "Xiao Fan, what's the matter with you looking for me?"

  "Hmm, Xiao Xi cried and ran to my place, so I came over to ask about the situation." Su Xiaofan smiled as she took the teacup from Meng Ping's hand and also exchanged some greetings with Meng Jie who had just walked out.

  "Huh? Didn't your husband come with you today?" Meng Jie sat down across from her in surprise.

  "Yes, he was settling accounts with Uncle Fu, and I slipped out quietly." Su Xiaofan had indeed not told them when she went out just now, after all, she would be back soon, and it wouldn't delay much time.

  Meng Jie raised an eyebrow: "Oh? I couldn't tell, that young husband of yours is actually a genius."

  Su Bing smiled and took over: "Others are originally geniuses, Xiao Fan, what's wrong with Xiao Xi?"

  "What's wrong with you?" Su Xiaofan asked back without answering.

  "I'm fine." Su Bing looked at her with a hint of doubt, feeling that Xiao Fan's gaze had a few hints of discontent.

  "Xiao Xi was slapped twice by your mother for no reason, and you didn't even try to comfort her. What's wrong with you?" Su Xiaofan raised an eyebrow, his expression indeed looking like he had no idea what was going on.

  Su Bing was shocked and stood up: "Is this what happened? Yesterday, after I went back, my mother only said that Xiao Xi had a few words with my sister-in-law. This morning, I originally wanted to go over and talk to her, but I was wondering why she wouldn't see me." After finishing speaking, he entered the kitchen, took off his apron, turned around and walked out.

  Su Xiaofan said: "Wait, come back."

  "By the way, I forgot about you, Little Fan wants to stay a bit longer, or go back with me together?" Su Bing heard her voice and turned back.

  "Wait, I've been wanting to ask you, if this little westerner were to marry you, would she still have to look at your mother's and sister-in-law's faces?" Su Xiao Fan pointed to the position beside him, indicating that he should sit down first.

  Su Heng furrowed his brow and sat down with a solemn expression: "Although it's said that each has their own courtyard, this is still not a separate household. Moreover, even if they were to separate households, they are all still one family, so it can't be said that they're looking at each other's faces. After spending some time together, their relationship will improve. Look at my mother and sister-in-law, don't they get along well?"

  Su Xiaofan silently rolled her eyes: "You're comparing Xiao Xi to your sister-in-law? Although I'm not very familiar with your sister-in-law and have only met her once, I can tell that she's extremely cunning and deceitful. Xiao Xi is simple-minded and doesn't have many tricks up her sleeve, and her temper is too impulsive. If she has to deal with your sister-in-law every day, isn't she just asking to be bullied?"

  "Xiao Xi's personality shouldn't be easily bullied, right?" Meng Jie said to her with deep doubt. Xiao Xi was straightforward and dared to say anything when she was in the tavern, would she humble herself?

  "It depends on who it is, this is a matter of Su Bing's face, she can only swallow her grievances, and absolutely cannot quarrel with his wife. "Su Xiaofan said, slightly furrowing her brow, if Xi always clashed with his family because of her own affairs, it wouldn't be good, it seems that finding a way to resolve the conflict between herself and Su Bing's family would be better."

  "I understand, I'll think of a countermeasure seriously." Su Bing's eyebrows furrowed in thought. He had always felt that although his parents were quite overbearing and his sister-in-law loved to gossip about others, they wouldn't go so far as to make things difficult for Xiao Xi.

  How could I have overlooked Xiao Xi and Xiao Fan's friendship?

  If sister-in-law speaks ill of Xiao Fan in front of Xiao Xi, it will definitely cause trouble. However, no matter how serious the trouble is, mother should not hit people. This point must be communicated to mother after returning home.

  "Alas, it's always been a troublesome thing for mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law to get along." Su Xiaofan rubbed her brow, letting out a soft sigh.

  "Xiao Fan will also face these problems in the future, if it were Xiao Fan, what would you do?" Su Bing felt that he was stuck between several women and it was really difficult to handle. As the wedding date approached, he felt that Xiao Xi had been suffering from grievances due to his family's affairs, but as a son, he couldn't say anything too harsh to his mother.

  "This... I think the little treasure's mother is quite easy to get along with, and his family members seem to be okay too, so I should not have any troubles in that aspect." Su Xiao Fan recalled the little treasure's mother and felt that if there were any conflicts, she could just cook up a delicious meal to win her over.

  After finishing, seeing Su Bing's embarrassed expression, he spoke up and said: "Actually, relatives living too close to each other will always have all sorts of conflicts. Why don't you consider saving some money and buying a small house near Mo City in the future? You and Xiao Xi can live together?"

  Meng Jie chimed in: "The courtyards near Mo City are all very expensive."

  "It's not like we're buying it now, can't we just make it a goal? This way, occasionally you two can go back and visit your family and who knows, the relationship might even get better." Su Xiao Fan wasn't very clear about the housing prices here, but living close by would mean that even neighbors would argue with each other from time to time, let alone relatives. And sometimes relatives could be even more annoying than neighbors, like those extreme ones in her own family.

  "Hmm, this might work. Let's discuss it with Xiao Xi later. Alright, let's go, Xiao Fan. If we don't make things clear to her, she won't speak to me for several more days." Su Bing rubbed his head and chuckled foolishly a few times.

  "Alright, we'll take our leave then. When you have time, come visit me and I'll treat you to a big meal. By the way, I'll share with you my cooking methods." Su Xiaofan batted her eyelashes, she had recently experimented with some new dishes that she hadn't shared with them yet. However, she thought that her recent creations might not be suitable for their small tavern, and would need to be adjusted in terms of ingredients, after all, the people who came to this place were mostly laborers, and their consumption standards were different from those who came to her own restaurant.

  "Alright, I'll go with Su Bing tomorrow morning after I'm done with my busy schedule."

  Su Xiaofan nodded: "Mm, I'll be ready and waiting for you when the time comes."

  Back at the wine house, as soon as he entered the backyard, he met his little treasure who was frowning and waiting for him: "What's wrong?"

  "Next time you go out, tell me, otherwise I'll think you're secretly meeting men again." Xiao Yimeng said in a muffled tone.

  "When did I ever sneak out to meet a man?" Su Xiao Fan furrowed her brow and thought for a moment, among the people she knew, there wasn't anyone that would require her to secretly meet them behind his back.

  "Hmph!" Xiao Yimeng let out a low hum, turned her head away and continued to struggle with the account book on the stone table. She had to organize it into a simple account book that she could understand, otherwise she would have to spend a lot of time explaining it to herself.

  Su Heng thought, "Could it be that Xiao Fan went to the wine tavern behind his back? Is this young master angry?"

  Su Xiaofan turned her head and pointed at her room door, saying to Su Bing: "Alright, you go check on Xiao Xi in my room first."

  After he entered the room, Su Xiaofan walked over to Xiao Yimeng's side and sat down: "Children can't say too much impolite words in front of adults."

  "Just don't treat me like a child." Xiao Yi Mo's head remained lowered, his voice faint as he continued to flip through the ledger.

  Su Xiaofan stared at him for a moment before saying, "Could it be that Little Treasure, you're actually very old, but just didn't grow tall? Like those people with dwarfism."

  Xiao Yimeng looked back and forth at the ledger's pupil for a moment: "If it's really like that, what would you do?"

  "Hmm, well... " Su Xiao Fan withdrew her gaze and looked at the few potted plants in the courtyard: "If it's really like that, then so be it. Let me spoil you for a lifetime. Men are actually quite annoying, I think this current life is pretty good."

  Xiao Yimeng frowned, "Are men really annoying?"

  The man in her mouth refers to who?

  Isn't it actually still not letting go of Yun Song?

  "But it's just a joke, that kind of situation can't happen, right? Little treasure will grow up to be similar to your dad in the future." Su Xiao Fan turned his face, which was tightly focused on the account book, towards himself.

  Xiao Yi's eyebrows furrowed even tighter: "You like my dad's face?"

  "I just thought that when you grow up, you might become just like him. " Su Xiao Fan let go of his hand and picked up an account book he had organized, flipping through it before putting it down with a headache after a while: "From now on, don't bother showing me the accounts, I'll leave managing them to you, how's that?"

  "Fine, even if I made money, I wouldn't tell you, and let you do it for nothing." Xiao Yimeng finally solved the puzzle in her heart about why she had been staring at her father all along, but she didn't look much like her father.

  "It's okay if you don't tell me, but you have to take responsibility for paying back the money from the village head. Also, before going to your house next year, I plan to open up a second wine shop." Su Xiaofan picked a grape from the plate and put it in her mouth, then turned around and saw Xiao Yimeng's open mouth, so she peeled another one and put it in his mouth as well.

  Xiao Yimeng smiled slightly and asked: "The wine house has opened, what are you doing?"

  Su Xiaofan stared at her own door, casually replied: "Opening more houses will earn more silver coins, after taking down the entire Mo City, we'll go to the neighboring cities."

  Xiao Yi Mo finally put down the account book in his hand, looking at her seriously: "In that case, won't you be very busy? What if you don't have time to accompany me?"

  "Huh? Little treasure, aren't you going to follow me all the time?" Su Xiao Fan still stared at his own door, not knowing what those two people were saying inside, and he couldn't even hear a sound.

  "Then it's to be followed." Xiao Yimeng lowered her head, recalling the conversation she had with Zi Yun earlier. Could it be that she really intended to wait until after 25 years old to have children? If so, then mother would not agree.

  Just as Su Xiaofan was getting impatient and wanted to knock on the door to take a look, Yu Xiaoxi opened the door with a red face and walked out of the house.

  Looking at her expression, Su Xiaofan put down his heart and should have already clarified the misunderstanding.

  "Xiao Fan, I'll go first." Yu Xiao Xi stood beside Su Xiao Fan with a red face.

  "Wait, sit down for a while, Su Bing you too. " Su Xiao Fan put the fruit plate in front of Yu Xiao Xi: "Eat some fruit first, and then tell me, what did your sister-in-law say about me again that made you quarrel with her?"

  "It's nothing, just what happened before." Yu Xiaoxi glanced at Su Bing, who had also asked this question earlier.

  "Don't think you can fool me, with what happened before, you two didn't have a fight or something, did you?" Su Xiaofan stared at her flushed cheeks and those moist lips, wondering if the two had just done something inside. Although it's not impossible for an engaged couple to do something like that, shouldn't people in this era be more reserved?

  Yu Xiao Xi hesitated for a moment before responding: "Sister might have run into Su Si Xi again in Mo Cheng, and that Su Si Xi told her that you had bought red flowers to abort the baby at the pharmacy. She said it with such certainty, as if she had seen it with her own eyes. At the time, I was worried that if those words were spread around the village by sister, who knows what would happen? So I got anxious and tried to stop her, but in the end, she still managed to spread the rumor."

  Su Xiaofan let out a helpless sigh, this being spread out wouldn't be good, hopefully Grandma and Mother won't believe it, looks like I'll have to pick a time to go back home.

  "Let's go back now, the things I asked someone to prepare earlier are almost ready." Xiao Yimoh closed the account book and walked out.

  "What's prepared?" Yu Xiaoxi asked Su Xiaofan.

  "I don't know what it is either." Su Xiaofan shook her head slightly.

  On the way home in the carriage, Su Xiaofan asked Su Bing: "Is it okay to leave the wine shop so early?"

  Su Bing nodded: "Yeah, most of them can handle it, and the guests in that area are also relatively easy to deal with. Even if they're busy, no one will say anything."

  As soon as Su Xiaofan walked into the courtyard of her own home, she was dragged into the house by Madam Jia, who asked with a serious face: "Fang'er, those villagers..."

  "Girl, don't believe those rumors, just pretend you didn't hear them." Su Xiaofan smiled at her and then squatted down to play with Xiao Huihui. If he hadn't thought about leaving it at home for its anti-thief effect, he would have taken it directly to the wine tower.

  "It's not true, it's good, I was worried to death." Jia patted her chest and put her mind at ease.

  "That Si Xi doesn't even know how long she'll be staying in Mo City." Su Xiao Fan thought that sooner or later, he had to catch her and ask her about spreading these rumors, what was the point of it all.

  "Is Sijie in Mochen?" Ye Shi asked loudly as she pushed open the door from outside.

  Su Xiaofan nodded slightly.

  Ye walked over, squatted down beside her, and lowered his voice to ask: "Do you know where she lives? She hasn't come back for several days, and your third aunt doesn't dare to come looking for people openly. She's told me privately several times, asking me to tell you, to help find Si Xi."

  "Did she tell her grandmother?" Su Xiaofan originally thought that Third Aunt shouldn't have come home.

  "Yes, it seems that these days are anxious, after all, Si Xi went out and also deceived San Shu, this time is long, San Fu will also know sooner or later, if this spreads out, in the future, Si Xi will not be easy to marry. Ye Shi's face full of wrinkles was filled with worry, no matter what, she was her own granddaughter, even if she was unfilial, even if she had a bad heart, she couldn't let go of her."

  "Grandma, don't worry, tomorrow I'll let them go and find her, it just so happens that I have something to ask her too." Su Xiaofan wanted to find her to confront the villagers, but she wasn't in a hurry, after all, those rumors would naturally disappear once she had that so-called "guardian sand" on her person.

  "Come on out, woman! Everyone's here now, and even your third aunt has arrived."

  Just as they were talking, they heard the sound coming from outside.

  Jia's brow furrowed: "Why has she been running to our house every day these past few days?"

  "Let's go take a look." Su Xiao Fan got up and walked out, with Xiao Hui following closely behind, wagging its tail happily.

  Meng stood at the gate of the courtyard, looked around at the people inside, and hesitated about whether to go in.

  Su Xiaofan just gave her a faint glance and looked at the others in the courtyard: "Village chief, you're also here. What's going on?"

  Xiao Sheng walked up to Su Xiaofan with a small box in his hand and said, "This is something that the young master had us prepare a few days ago for the purpose of guarding the palace. Coincidentally, there have been some rumors circulating around the village recently, so we've called over some of the elderly villagers to bear witness."

  Su Xiaofan curiously walked over to take a look and seemed to find nothing special. Did it really have such magical effects?

  "Yes, Xiao Fan, this is just right to shut some people's mouths." Wang also walked to Su Xiaofan's side and said, glancing at Yuan Zhen and Yuan Qing with a slanted eye. Recently, the matter has been noisy, it was caused by these two mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

  "Ah, thank you, Third Aunt." Su Xiaofan smiled and rolled up her sleeves, extending her wrist in front of Xiao Sheng.

  Xiao Yimò also went over, frowning as he looked on.

  Su Xiaofan looked down at him: "If it doesn't light up, little treasure, will you abandon me?"

  "...even if you don't agree, you're already mine, no mistake." Xiao Yimiao said as she turned around and entered the house. Looking at all these people outside made her feel annoyed, if not for considering her reputation, she wouldn't have bothered with this show.

  Su Xiaofan's lips curled up in a sweet smile, and even if he was just casually saying that, it still sounded very pleasant to her own ears.

  "Alright." Xiao Sheng put everything away after he was done.

  "Is that it?" Su Xiaofan blinked a few times, thinking to herself that it should have hurt.

  Wang turned his head and stared at Yuan Zhen, asking: "Are you satisfied now?"

  Yuan Zhen smiled awkwardly: "This isn't because Qing'er has been telling me, I'm the kind of person who can't control my mouth and accidentally said it to everyone..."

  Yuan Qing's face changed, and after her mother-in-law said that, the villagers would probably be unwilling to associate with her from now on. Moreover, why did those four joys fabricate such lies, causing her to suffer unjustly?

  "Alright, you can leave now." Mrs. Jia's face didn't look any better, and she spoke coldly to Yuanzhen. In the past, she had tolerated her because of her future relationship with Xiaowei, even when she was speaking ill of Xiaofang everywhere. But things had gone too far today, and she couldn't continue to be so tolerant.

  "That's it, sorry about that. From now on, I won't say anything rash again, and of course, I won't stop Xiao Xi from associating with Xiao Fan either. Don't take it to heart." Yuan Zhen said with an unnatural expression, then hastily pulled Yuan Qing's hand and left in a hurry.

  "Trouble you, village chief." Su Xiaofan put down his sleeve and thought about going to wash it again later. Can't that thing be wiped off?

  "This is nothing big, so we will take our leave too." Xiao Changfu smiled at the remaining people in the courtyard and left with Xiao Sheng.

  "Sorry, Xiao Fan." Su Bing rubbed his head, standing awkwardly in place.

  Su Xiaofan said: "It's okay, you should also hurry back, your mother didn't look too good when she left just now."

  Su Bing nodded and quickly followed him out.

  "I should get one too, just for fun." Yu Xiaoxi leaned in close to Su Xiaofan, her voice filled with excitement. It was said that the young ladies from those wealthy families in town would have these things tattooed on their arms as soon as they were born.

  "It's not like it's fun or anything, why don't you go back and keep your sister company? She must be so bored at home alone." Su Xiaofan had heard her mention before that her sister's family was taking precautions to ensure the safe arrival of the baby, making her stay in bed every day, with even meals being solved on the bed, except for going to the bathroom. It can't be a good life, it must be suffocating.

  After everyone left, Meng's family finally stepped into the yard and looked at Su Xiaofan, asking: "Xiaofan... that..."

  Su Xiaofan raised an eyebrow and looked at her: "Third Auntie, it's pointless to ask me too. Why don't you go to Mochen City and look for her yourself? According to what Yuan Qing told me, this matter today was actually discussed between your Fourth Joy and her. What kind of heart does your Fourth Joy have, do you know?"

  "How could Si Xi do such a thing? Was it Yuan Qing who intentionally said that?" Meng's face changed greatly, how did Si Xi do something so childish again, spreading such rumors, which didn't have the slightest effect on Su Xiao Fan at all.

  "I don't know about that, Third Auntie, why don't you go ask Yuan Qing? Maybe she'll know where your Fourth Uncle lives, and it seems like your Fourth Uncle really has some good news!" Su Xiaofan lazily yawned and said casually.

  Meng's face turned pale with fear, but she didn't dare ask any more questions. She awkwardly turned around and left. Today was originally meant to be a day for her to ask if anyone had seen Si Xi in the city. Now it seemed like she wouldn't be able to keep this secret hidden anymore. If Si Xi's father found out about what happened, her own life would become unbearable.

  This is not the most important thing, if that Yun Song is abandoned, what can be done with Si Xi? It's all because of my own greed and shortsightedness at the time, thinking that Yun Song was a government official in Beijing, and even if Si Xi could become his concubine, it would be like a sparrow turning into a phoenix. If I had known it would lead to such uncertainty today, I should have stopped her.

  "Everyone is tired, go and rest." Jia smiled with relief, and from then on, no one in the village would mention that gossip again: "By the way, has Zi Yun left?"

  "Oh, I haven't told my mother yet, but my cousin has been living in our wine shop recently." Su Xiaofan had originally wanted to get closer to take a look at her brother, but was instead struck by the unnatural expression on her face.

  "Living in a tavern? She said she was coming to find me this time, since my safety has already been confirmed, why hasn't she left yet?" Madam Ji's eyebrows were tightly furrowed.

  Su Xiaofan's doubts in her heart grew even more, what had really happened to her mother in the past? It made her avoid her family and want her cousin to leave as soon as possible: "Mother, don't worry, Cousin said she just wanted to have fun for a while before the big wedding."

  Jia's expression slightly softened: "I see, well in that case, if you have time, accompany her and play with her more."

  Su Xiaofan returned to her room and saw Xiao Yimeng lying on the bed as usual: "Little treasure, do you want to go back to the wine tower now?"

  "Then why rush, staying overnight and leaving tomorrow is also possible." Xiao Yimeng's eyes stared tightly at the ceiling, responding gloomily.

  "Hmm, I was thinking of staying overnight too, but I'm worried that your small body, having gotten used to the soft bed recently, might not be able to sleep well on this hard board." Su Xiao Fan walked over and sat down, pressing down on the hard and stiff bed board. Having not returned for several days, she somehow felt a bit nostalgic for this hard and narrow bed board.

  Xiao Yi Mo tilted his head, staring at her with an ambiguous gaze.

  Su Xiaofan turned around and met his gaze: "Is little treasure throwing a tantrum?"

  "Those villagers are really annoying, my woman is not someone they can gossip about." Xiao Yimiao turned his head and looked out the window.

  "Hmm"

  Looking at his appearance and listening to his words, Su Xiaofan couldn't help but laugh out loud. Just a moment ago, an aura of imperial dignity had emanated from him.

  Moreover, every time I hear him say "my woman", my heart feels warm and fuzzy, as if there's a sweet feeling spreading in my chest, making me look forward to his future.

  A few days later, in the early morning, Su Xiaofan was woken up by Xiao Fu before he got out of bed. He hastily put on his clothes and rushed over to open the door and asked: "Uncle Fu, it's so early, is there something going on?"

  "There was a woman standing at the entrance of the wine tower for a long time. I went over to ask her something, and she said she was looking for you. Do you want to go see her, Madam?" Xiao Fu's face was full of apology, as Madam had been busy until late last night and everyone thought she should sleep in today.

  Su Xiaofan smoothed out her slightly disheveled hair with her hand, pulled up her clothes and said: "You bring her in, I'll go wash up."

  Xiao Yi Mo walked over to her side with an unpleasant expression and said: "In the future, don't rush to open the door if you haven't tidied up yet."

  "Good." Su Xiao Fan originally wanted to say that it didn't matter, but facing the displeased little face in front of him, his words changed naturally as they reached his lips, which shocked himself extremely.

  After washing and dressing, I saw Si Xi standing in the courtyard with a disappointed face. He walked over to me with a frown and sat down on the stone bench, opening his mouth slightly: "Si Xi, what brings you to find me?"

  Su Si Xi hesitated for a long time before slowly opening his mouth: "I want to go to the capital, can you help me?"

  "Do you think I'd help you? The last time, I haven't even settled the score with you yet. Four Joys, you should know what I'm referring to, right?" Su Xiaofan raised an eyebrow, took over the white lotus porridge handed by Shui Yue, blew on it a few times before feeding it to Xiao Yimeng beside him.